The Sugoi RS Zero jersey is insulating and breathable, putting in a solid performance in cool conditions.

This top is made from a polyester/spandex mix; it's essentially a Roubaix fabric like fleecy tights and leg warmers. That means it's soft, warm and very breathable although it's not windproof so you'll want a gilet or lightweight jacket over the top on cold winter days.

On rides that are a bit warmer – spring and autumn conditions – you can wear the RS Zero as an outer layer and it'll provide more insulation than a summer-weight jersey thanks to that fleecy inner face. That means you'll get plenty of three-season use out of it.

The fabric is very stretchy so you can get a close fit without any discomfort. It's a slim, performance cut but you'll get away with it even if you're carrying a bit of extra timber because of the amount of give here.

The one downside to the stretchiness is that the three rear pockets can move south if you fill them up for a big ride. When I slung a mobile phone, multitool, waterproof and all the rest of it in there, they sat a bit low and weren't particularly stable when I rode out of the saddle. It's not that big a problem and it's a common one for jerseys of this kind.

The two side pockets at the back have slanted tops so they're just that little bit easier to access, and the stitching is reinforced so I can't imagine you'll have any issues with durability even if you cram them full.

The front zip is high-quality option from YKK with a large puller that's simple to grab even with thick gloves. The pull snaps firmly into place wherever you set it so the zip never creeps open as you ride.

Sugoi take care of the details well, adding a baffle behind the zip to stop cold air streaming through and a chin guard at the top to avoid scratchiness. You get a silicone rubber gripper inside the elasticated waist that holds the hem in place successfully, and a couple of 3M Scotchlite reflective tabs around the back add to your visibility.

Overall, this might not be a groundbreaking top with a load of innovative features, but it's a solid design and versatile enough for a wide range of conditions so you'll get your money's worth of use from it. Speaking of which, the list price is probably just on the high side of par on the other hand you won't have to look far to find it selling for a lot less than that.

Verdict

Warm, versatile cool conditions jersey

road.cc test report

Make and model: Sugoi RS Zero Long Sleeve jersey

Size tested: Medium, Red

Tell us what the product is for, and who it's aimed at. What do the manufacturers say about it? How does that compare to your own feelings about it?

Mat has worked for loads of bike magazines over 20+ years, and been editor of 220 Triathlon and Cycling Plus. He's been road.cc technical editor for eight years, testing bikes, fettling the latest kit, and trying out the most up-to-the-minute clothing. We send him off around the world to get all the news from launches and shows too. He has won his category in Ironman UK 70.3 and finished on the podium in both marathons he has run. Mat is a Cambridge graduate who did a post-grad in magazine journalism, and he is a past winner of the Cycling Media Award for Specialist Online Writer.

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